Eat In Recipe: African Stew

I know it's not the season for stew, but I have just been wanting to make this recipe for so long and yesterday the weather was at least windy (super blustery, in fast), so I did it.  It was really easy and pretty quick to make.  I had this African Stew at The Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge while Mr. Diner and I were vacationing at Disney World last fall.  It was soooo tasty served in a chewy bread bowl and had so many wonderful spices in it!  When I got home, I found the recipe online at AllEarsNet.com, which they say was given to them by the chefs.  I believe it, too...it tasted just like I remember (minus the bread bowl...I just served it with bread).  I loved it!  It is on the spicy side, which the little diners did not appreciate (although Amazing Diner loved the meat & creamy part, rating those a 5).  And it is a little reminiscent of Indian food, which Mr. Diner doesn't like.  If you are an adventurous eater like me, you may want to try this recipe.  And if you're looking for more Disney restaurant recipes, AllEarsNet.com and the Disney Food Blog both have great recipe sections.

The Mara's African Stew from AllEarsNet.com
4 c. water
3 chicken bouillon cubes (or equivalent)
1/3 c. curry paste (or dry curry)*
2 T. ground coriander, toasted*
2 T. granulated garlic (or garlic powder)
4 c. coconut milk
1/4 c. sugar
3 T soy sauce
2 lbs. beef/pork/chicken, large diced*
2 c. mixed red & green peppers, diced*
2 c. onion, diced
1/2 c. corn, frozen
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 T. cornstarch (make a slurry)*

1. Heat water, bouillon, curry, coriander, & garlic in a large pot.  When it starts to boil, add sugar & coconut milk.  Stir & heat to boiling again.
2. Add in the soy sauce and diced meat.  Turn heat down & let simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Add vegetables and spices and cook till tender, bringing to a boil.
4. Add cornstarch slurry slowly to the mixture and stir until thickened (just a couple minutes).

Serves 16.  (I cut the recipe in half and actually thought the half recipe would only serve about 5.)

*Notes: I used a Thai red curry.  To toast the coriander, I just put it in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until I smelled a nice, nutty aroma (just a few minutes).  I used beef for the meat, but you can choose any of the meats or use a combination of all three.  I used just red pepper because I like it so much more than green.  To make a cornstarch slurry, measure your cornstarch in a small container and add an equal part water or other liquid & stir.

 Average Fork Rating:  3
Mr. Diner:   2
Mrs. Diner: 5
Amazing Diner:   3
Sweet Diner:  2
Little Diner: 3